FAST FACTS:
(Memphis, 3/02/2010) Willie Herenton addressed a two-page letter to the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association asking for their prayers and support. But he may not have the organization's blessing.
"There are some concerns we have," said spokesman Dwight Montgomery.
The letter, dated March 1 sheds light on Herenton's congressional platform.
It asks the pastors to join him in his opposition to the "legalization of marijuana and same sex marriage."
"We are opposed to gay marriage, however our biblical principles say that we are to love everyone," explained Montgomery.
The former Memphis mayor also wrote "jobs...better schools...and access to healthcare and affordable housing " are most important to the people of the 9th Congressional District.
In the letter he says he'll "fight to keep jobs in America."
But the association believes Herenton's nearly two decades in office as mayor speaks for itself.
"We live in a city where African American contractors have received less than one percent of the contracts that have been with the City of Memphis through the years."
Herenton's letter also plays the race card noting Tennessee, which is 16 percent black, has "no representation from African Americans" in congress.
But in the next paragraph Herenton notes his run for the 9-th district seat is more about "representation and qualifications than race."
A contrast, some would argue, to the early tone he's set for his campaign.
"We need to look at what person is going to serve in the best interest in the total community in order to move our community forward," explained Montgomery.
Ironically Herenton is asking for support from the same group he shunned when they tried to recruit AC Wharton for mayor in 2007.
- Herenton drafts letter to Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association
- Outlines congressional positions
- Says he'll fight for jobs and opposes same-sex marriage and legalization of marijuana
(Memphis, 3/02/2010) Willie Herenton addressed a two-page letter to the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association asking for their prayers and support. But he may not have the organization's blessing.
"There are some concerns we have," said spokesman Dwight Montgomery.
The letter, dated March 1 sheds light on Herenton's congressional platform.
It asks the pastors to join him in his opposition to the "legalization of marijuana and same sex marriage."
"We are opposed to gay marriage, however our biblical principles say that we are to love everyone," explained Montgomery.
The former Memphis mayor also wrote "jobs...better schools...and access to healthcare and affordable housing " are most important to the people of the 9th Congressional District.
In the letter he says he'll "fight to keep jobs in America."
But the association believes Herenton's nearly two decades in office as mayor speaks for itself.
"We live in a city where African American contractors have received less than one percent of the contracts that have been with the City of Memphis through the years."
Herenton's letter also plays the race card noting Tennessee, which is 16 percent black, has "no representation from African Americans" in congress.
But in the next paragraph Herenton notes his run for the 9-th district seat is more about "representation and qualifications than race."
A contrast, some would argue, to the early tone he's set for his campaign.
"We need to look at what person is going to serve in the best interest in the total community in order to move our community forward," explained Montgomery.
Ironically Herenton is asking for support from the same group he shunned when they tried to recruit AC Wharton for mayor in 2007.
